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Budget Day 2026: What a $63B+ Deficit Means for Your Wallet

  Canadian Money Brief • Thursday, November 5, 2026 Ottawa tables its second Carney-era budget today. Almost everyone expects big spending. Hardly anyone expects it to help their own bank account. Here is what the numbers say, and what to do about it. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says today’s budget is about “changing Canada’s growth model”: less reliance on the U.S., more building at home. That is a big-picture pitch. Your household budget is a small-picture problem, and a new Abacus Data poll shows the gap between the two is wide. The poll in one line: only 10% of Canadians expect Budget 2026 to make their household better off. 30% expect to be worse off, and 48% expect little difference. (Abacus Data, 1,809 adults, Oct. 30 to Nov. 3.) The deficit, in plain numbers The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) is the government’s independent fiscal referee. Its latest outlook, which predates the budget and only counts measures already announced, sets the stage: PBO proj...

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Trump Escapes Prison and Fines in Hush-Money Case

In a landmark decision, President-elect Donald Trump has avoided any prison time or fines in the hush-money case that has captivated the nation. On Friday, Judge Juan Merchan handed Trump an unconditional discharge, sparing him from jail time, fines, or probation. This ruling makes Trump the first convicted felon to hold the White House.

Trump was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign. Despite the potential penalties of up to four years in prison and $5,000 in fines for each count, the judge opted for an alternative sentence, citing the unique circumstances of the case.

During the hearing, Trump maintained his innocence and described the case as a "tremendous setback" for the justice system. The decision has sparked widespread debate, with some praising the judge's discretion and others criticizing the lack of tangible consequences for the president-elect.

Trump's legal team has indicated plans to appeal the jury's verdict, but for now, he remains a convicted felon as he prepares to take office on January 20.

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